Criminalization and Decriminalization: the Causes and Limits

Annotation This work is devoted to one of the most important instruments of criminal policy: criminalization and decriminalization. The relevance of the topic is due to the lack of a uniform approach to the theory of criminalization and decriminalization. Also, in recent years, criminal policy is completely unsystematic, sometimes contradictory and partly politicized. In this regard, the aim of the study is to study approaches to the theory of criminalization and decriminalization. Classification of its forms, definition of principles, limits, grounds and causes of criminalization and decriminalization. In this paper, the author attempts to formulate a new approach to the theory of criminalization and decriminalization. The final qualifying work consists of an introduction, three chapters containing six sections of the work, conclusion, bibliography and two annexes. The first two chapters are devoted to the theoretical part, where doctrinal approaches to the issues of criminalization and decriminalization are examined. The third chapter is devoted to the practical part, which analyzes the new elements of the crime, which were recently included in the Special Part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. According to the results of the study: 1) Analyzed the process of criminalization and decriminalization. 2) Compiled a classification of the principles and forms of criminalization and decriminalization. 3) Identify the causes, limits and grounds for criminalization and decriminalization. 4) Also, we analyzed some articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (as amended on April 23, 2019) for compliance with the grounds and principles of criminalization and decriminalization.